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WISCONSIN RECALL’S BIGGEST LOSERS – Jim VandeHei, the pride of Oshkosh, with Robin Bravender and David Catanese: “Vince Lombardi, the man who taught Cheeseheads to think with clarity about the severe consequences of victory and defeat, once offered this gem about life: ‘Show me a good loser, and I’ll show you a loser.’ Scott Walker last night showed Wisconsin and the country a bunch of pretty good losers in his recall election triumph. In the spirit of tell-it-like-it-is St. Vince, POLITICO offers up a guide to the top five: Democrats, President Barack Obama, public unions, conservative critics and money monks. …

“Democrats suffered a good old-fashioned beatdown. They invested seven months of effort, tens of millions of dollars, exhausted volunteers to collect nearly 1 million signatures. Then, they litigated an extremely divisive primary and spent millions more — all to get back to exactly where they were when they started: with Walker on top. There’s no other way to slice it: this was a crippling blow to a party in Wisconsin that not long ago controlled both U.S. Senate seats and the governor’s mansion. … [T]he psychological blow is impossible to ignore and will certainly echo in the state’s first open U.S. Senate race in 24 years.” Five more Lombardi quotes tell last night’s story. http://bit.ly/L9bgCw

--Walker won by 6.9 points, and 173,000 votes out of 2.5 million cast.

--RNC Chairman Reince Priebus vows huge push for Nov.: “Republicans have the infrastructure and enthusiasm that will help us defeat President Obama in Wisconsin. In that respect, it was a great ‘dry run.’” http://politi.co/KOcRPi

--“Battleground Wisconsin: Wisconsin outcome signals opportunity for Romney,” by AP’s Thomas Beaumont in Milwaukee: “[N]ational Republicans and Democrats alike will re-evaluate the Wisconsin political landscape. … [T]hey will take into consideration the state's 6.7 percent unemployment rate -- lower than the national average -- the heavy chunk of independent-minded voters and the partisan atmosphere that led to the effort to recall Walker. … Obama and Romney … teams had been hinting in the days leading up to the recall about how Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes fit into their state-by-state game plans … Obama's team, which has been on the ground organizing, … signaled this week that it believed the state had grown more competitive. In May, campaign manager Jim Messina had said Wisconsin was trending toward the president. By Monday, he was listing Wisconsin as ‘undecided.’ …

“Romney now plans to compete in the state aggressively, looking to capitalize on the Republican momentum … His team considers Wisconsin a top target, … and more attractive than even Romney's native Michigan, where the campaign had hoped to establish an Upper Midwest beachhead. ‘The close vote on Tuesday confirms that Wisconsin will be a swing state,’ said Republican strategist Terry Nelson, an adviser to George W. Bush. … Obama had a 51-44 percent edge over Romney in exit polling, and more Wisconsin voters said that the president would do a better job improving the economy and helping middle-class voters … But there are warning signs for Obama, too. Independent voters, who made up a third of the recall electorate and typically decide close elections, broke for Walker 53-45. …

“[T]he power was on display of both the GOP's robust national get-out-the-vote effort and of deep-pocketed Republican super political action committees, which poured $18 million into the state to help Walker. Unions, a key Democratic constituency, failed to get their rank-and-file members to rally behind Barrett, an ominous sign for a Democratic presidential candidate counting on those ground troops. Four years ago, Obama won the state by 14 percentage points. Democrats John Kerry in 2004 and Al Gore in 2000 carried the state by less than a single percentage point. Observers say Tuesday's results may foreshadow a similar scenario in November. … Expect both candidates to visit more frequently … Obama and Romney had steered clear of the state in the heat of the recall campaign.” http://yhoo.it/KEx37x

--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel banner, “WALKER WINS HISTORIC RECALL: Governor beats Barrett, becomes 1st to win recall,” by Patrick Marley and Jason Stein: “Scott Walker on Tuesday became the first governor in the country's history to survive a recall election, besting his 2010 rival in a contest that broke spending records and captured the nation's attention. ‘Tonight we tell Wisconsin, we tell our country, and we tell people all across the globe that voters really do want leaders that stand up and make the tough decisions,’ Walker told an overflow crowd at the Waukesha County Exposition Center. He said he would meet with his cabinet Wednesday to focus on the economy and said he hoped to soon bring Democratic and Republican lawmakers together to meet over brats, burgers and beer. He cut off the crowd when they booed a mention of his opponent, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. …

“Barrett called the Republican governor to concede around 10 p.m., about an hour after The Associated Press and television networks called the race for Walker. Barrett told his backers at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center hotel in downtown Milwaukee: ‘Never, ever stop doing what you think is right. That's what makes this such a great country.’ The race was a rematch of the 2010 race, when Walker beat Barrett by nearly 6 percentage points. Turnout Tuesday was higher than it had been 19 months earlier.” http://bit.ly/NgIWRD

--MITT ROMNEY STATEMENT: “I congratulate Scott Walker on his victory in Wisconsin. Governor Walker has demonstrated over the past year what sound fiscal policies can do to turn an economy around, and I believe that in November voters across the country will demonstrate that they want the same in Washington, D.C. Tonight’s results will echo beyond the borders of Wisconsin. Governor Walker has shown that citizens and taxpayers can fight back – and prevail – against the runaway government costs imposed by labor bosses. Tonight voters said ‘no’ to the tired, liberal ideas of yesterday, and ‘yes’ to fiscal responsibility and a new direction. I look forward to working with Governor Walker to help build a better, brighter future for all Americans.”

--OBAMA CAMPAIGN STATEMENT -- Tripp Wellde, Wisconsin state director: “While tonight’s outcome was not what we had hoped for – no one can dispute the strong message sent to Governor Walker. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites from all walks of life took a stand against the politics of division and against the flood of secret and corporate money spent on behalf of Scott Walker, which amounted to a massive spending gap of more than $31 million to $4 million. It is a testament to all of those individuals who talked to their friends, neighbors, and colleagues about the stakes in this election of how close this contest was.

“The power of Wisconsin’s progressive, grassroots tradition was clearly on display throughout the run up to this election and we will continue to work together to ensure a brighter future for Wisconsin’s middle class. This vision was shared by the voters tonight, as exit polling showed President Obama beating Mitt Romney 52-43, a 9-point difference. On the questions of who would do a better job on the economy and who would help the middle class the most, President Obama again held a strong advantage over Romney. These data points clearly demonstrate a very steep pathway for Mitt Romney to recover in the state.”

HUGE WIN: LIBI DEAD – “Top al Qaeda strategist killed in Pakistan,” by Reuters’ Mark Hosenball and Jibran Ahmad: “A U.S. drone strike in Pakistan killed one of al Qaeda's most powerful figures, the U.S. government said on Tuesday, dealing the biggest in a series of blows to the militant group since the raid that killed founder Osama bin Laden last year. Abu Yahya al-Libi, a veteran militant said to have been a leader of the group's operations, and who survived previous U.S. attacks, was killed in the drone strike early Monday morning on a hideout in North Waziristan in Pakistan's tribal areas.”

CALIF. BALLOT: At 4:15 a.m. ET, AP declared cigarette tax proposal too close to call: “A contentious ballot proposal to add a $1-a-pack tax on cigarettes to fund cancer research remained too close to call after a $65 million spending spree by opponents and supporters.”

FALL LOOKAHEAD: “BERMAN-SHERMAN” -- WashPost A1, under Walker lead, “CALIFORNIA: New map and new rules shake up races,” by Paul Kane: “[A] redrawn electoral map and new balloting rules promised a significant overhaul of the state’s delegation, which accounts for about 12 percent of the House of Representatives. … Democrats think this could make Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaker of the House again. They contend that they could pick up five seats in California on their way to the 25 they need to retake the majority next year. … Republicans say the changes, over the long term, have the potential to transform to GOP into a more competitive party, because the new map and the new voting system may force it to nominate centrist candidates who can appeal to the state’s burgeoning population of minority voters. … One GOP strategist predicted that … about $30 million will flow into the state from the [NRCC, the DCCC] and partisan-aligned super PACs …

“That estimate did not include the state’s most expensive race, a battle that has begun to achieve epic dimensions and has acquired the shorthand designation ‘Berman-Sherman.’ That contest pits 15-term Rep. Howard L. Berman against a colleague, Rep. Brad Sherman, who has served eight terms. The two Democrats were thrown into the same district by an independent redistricting commission that was tasked with redrawing the state’s lines without regard to partisan edge or seniority. The district stretches from Hollywood to the San Fernando Valley, and by mid-May the two incumbents, with deep ties to wealthy California fundraising bases, had spent a combined $5.7 million on the race. That figure does not include $550,000 spent on Berman’s behalf by a super PAC. … The two Washington veterans — Berman is the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sherman is a senior member of the Financial Services Committee — are set to face each other again in November under new election rules that have eliminated party-specific primaries.” http://wapo.st/KbB8AP

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ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY -- Scott Pelley, anchor and managing editor of the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH SCOTT PELLEY. Pelley has anchored the broadcast from Afghanistan, for the 10th anniversary of the war; Somalia, during the height of the famine; and the Kennedy Space Center, covering the final mission of the space shuttle Atlantis. Pelley has also broadcast live from the Republican presidential nominating contests in Des Moines, Manchester, Miami and Chicago. His interviews include President Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, and House Speaker John Boehner. He worked simultaneously as a full-time correspondent for 60 MINUTES.

TOP TALKER: Sasha Issenberg’s THE ENGAGEMENT, the first definitive history of America's battles over gay marriage -- a narrative account of the unprecedented political, social, legal transformations that have over a quarter-century moved the issue from the margins of American life to being endorsed by a sitting president, as told through the key players and everyday Americans who are shaping, and being shaped by, the debate – has been sold to Zack Wagman at Crown by Larry Weissman at Larry Weissman Literary (World English). Crown is publishing Sasha’s second book, “THE VICTORY LAB: The Secret Science of Winning Campaigns,” out in September. See the cover. http://amzn.to/MbHGNB

ACROSS THE POND: The Times of London, on a “The Diamond Jubilee” page, striped in royal purple, “Obama pays tribute to a personal and very special relationship,” by Ben Hoyle and Nico Hines in Washington: “The Queen has outlasted 11 US presidents, from Harry S. Truman to George W Bush, but none of them can have delivered a more generous tribute than the one Barack Obama paid yesterday. In remarks that might have surprised George Washington, the White House incumbent hailed the monarch as ‘a chief source’ of the resilience of the special relationship between Britain and the United States. … Proffering the ‘heartfelt congratulations of the American people’ for reaching her Diamond Jubilee, the President addressed the Queen as one leader to another.

“‘While many presidents and prime ministers have come and gone, Your Majesty’s reign has endured’ … Characteristically, his video address, which lasted for one minute and 25 seconds, ended with a rhetorical flourish: ‘In honour of your 60 extraordinary years on the throne, communities across the Commonwealth have lit thousands of Jubilee beacons. May the light of Your Majesty’s crown continue to reign supreme for many years to come.’”

--White House emailed statement, “Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom: The President spoke today by phone with British Prime Minister Cameron, continuing their regular and close consultations on issues of mutual concern. The President and Prime Minister discussed the economic situation in Europe, as well as preparations for the June 18-19 G-20 Summit in Los Cabos, Mexico. The President also commended the Prime Minister for the special forces raid over the weekend that freed several hostages in Afghanistan, including a British aid worker. Finally, the President reiterated his congratulations to Her Majesty, the Queen, on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee.”

MEDIAWATCH : “Newsweek hires Atlantic’s Megan McArdle,” by Dylan Byers: “McArdle, the Atlantic's libertarian economics blogger … is currently on book leave … In August, she will start as special correspondent on economics, business and public policy at Newsweek/Daily Beast, based out of their Washington bureau.” http://politi.co/L0hEM3

--“CNN taps New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza,” by Dylan Byers: “CNN has tapped Ryan Lizza, The New Yorker's Washington correspondent, to be a political contributor at the network, POLITICO has learned. Lizza has been a recurring guest on CNN's programming for a few months now … [Lizza] will appear across all CNN programming.” http://politi.co/L8PAo2

–N.Y. Post wood, “ALLY BABA – Walters: I boosted Assad aide,” by Chuck Bennett: “Just weeks after TV doyenne Barbara Walters landed an exclusive interview with brutal Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, she tried to get his comely young press aide a job at CNN and a spot at Columbia University, newly released e-mails show. A humbled Walters apologized yesterday after a Syrian opposition group exposed … e-mails she exchanged with Sheherazad Jaafari, the glamorous, 22-year-old former Assad adviser, who helped arrange the big ‘get’ with the Middle East strongman last December. The ‘View’ founder had called Jaafari ‘dear girl’ and signed her e-mails ‘Hugs, Barbara’ …

“A few weeks after the airing of the Damascus interview, in which Assad brazenly denied ordering the bloody crackdown that has cost 9,000 lives, Walters had an intimate lunch with Jaafari at the Mark Hotel on the Upper East Side, according to London’s Daily Telegraph, which first obtained the e-mails. … Walters had reached out Jonathan Wald, a producer for CNN’s ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’ telling Jaafari, ‘I wrote to Piers Morgan and his producer to say how terrific you are and attached your resume.’ ‘CNN received a letter, however, we never spoke to the woman nor hired her,’ a company spokeswoman said. Walters had also contacted Wald’s father, Richard, the former chief of ABC News and lecturer at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. The elder Wald … replied he would have the admissions ‘give her special attention,’ according to the e-mails. ‘We get many similar requests,’ Wald told The Post. ‘I would forward any from a prominent journalist.’ Walters … was more contrite. ‘In retrospect, I realize that this created a conflict and I regret that.’” http://nyp.st/M6XMoTEmails, posted by The (London) Telegraphhttp://bit.ly/Lkt5Rg

THE MORNING AFTER, with Kevin Robillard (@PoliticoKevin):

FROM THE RIGHT -- National Review editorial, “Walker, Unbowed”: “Walker’s enemies did everything but release the kraken. And yet, he won. Throughout, Walker has stayed even-keeled. … Walker won because he represented the taxpayer, while his opponent represented the groups whose livelihoods depend on bilking the taxpayer. Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett served as less of an alternative than a vessel for Big Labor’s unmoored wrath.” http://bit.ly/Mga1P8

FROM THE LEFT -- “A wake-up call for Dems, labor and the left,” by WashPost’s Greg Sargent: “There’s no sugarcoating what this loss means for organized labor. … [T]he failure will have major repercussions for labor groups as they gear up for future fights over bargaining rights in states. … It shows with crystal clarity that Republicans may very well be able to successfully use the new, post-Citizens United landscape to weaken the opposition in a structural way, and to eliminate major sources of support for that opposition.” http://wapo.st/JKoXET

FOR NOVEMBER -- Slate, “The GOP’s Land of Big Ideas: Wisconsin is the home of bold GOP thinking and Republican superstars. Will Romney ever call it home?,” by John Dickerson: “Republicans may have built a state-of-the-art machine for identifying and persuading voters, and they’ve had chances to repeatedly test it, but no Republican presidential candidate has won in Wisconsin since 1984. … It is the home of two GOP superstars—Scott Walker and House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan—known for their boldness and perseverance. Romney says that he will be just as bold. If he ran loud and proud in Wisconsin it would send a message that he’s going to govern in the same audaciously conservative mold as the state’s favorite young guns. It would also be totally out of character for a candidate as risk-averse as Romney. … [T]he political risk calculation is more complicated than the hero storyline suggests. … No matter how exhilarating the Wisconsin narrative may be, Romney also knows details kill. And it's clear that President Obama is ready to pounce.” http://slate.me/JV5wy4

@chucktodd: Most important result from the exit poll: the 60% who said recalls are ONLY appropriate for OFFICIAL misconduct. … @chrislhayes: What's Total Destruction of the Entire American Labor Movement priced at on InTrade? … @jimgeraghty: Attention all GOP governors: Target automatic dues-collection for all public sector unions immediately.

VIRAL VIDEO: Via WISN, a woman slaps Tom Barrett after his concession speech. WISN’s Tom Swigert: “Barrett said the woman asked if she could slap him for conceding. He said he'd rather she hug him. So he leaned down.. and got the slap.” http://bit.ly/KbotOi

DESSERT -- Michelle Obama’s “Top Ten Fun Facts about Gardening” from last night’s “Late Show with David Letterman”: 10. "Gardening was invented in 1822 by Albert Gardner." … 9. "Plant avocado, tomato, onions and cilantro together -- grow a guacamole tree.” … 8. "Eggplants were originally cultivated for use as doorstops." … 7. “In his lifetime, the average American will eat half a radish." … 6. "The largest zucchini ever grown contained a Starbucks." … 5. "Later this year, the Supreme Court will finally rule on 'tomato' versus ‘tomahto.’" … 4. "If you have an actual green thumb, it might be scurvy." … 3. "Lettuce is 96 percent water and 4 percent lettuce." … 2. "The White House tool shed contains shovels, trowels and Weed Whacker One." … 1. "With enough care and effort, you can grow your own Barack-oli.”

** A message from UnitedHealthcare: When it comes to health care, you have questions, concerns and doubts. We believe you deserve thoughtful answers and simpler, more responsive health care. That's where UnitedHealthcare comes in. We see information and data from across the health care system and we are using those numbers to innovate programs and tools. We are more than 78,000 people looking out for 70 million Americans. THAT'S HEALTH IN NUMBERS. www.healthinnumbers.com **

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Send to a friendWALKER STUNS UNIONS BY 7 PTS. -- Romney: Result 'will echo beyond the borders of Wisconsin' - Ominous sign for Obama: Badger State now a swing state -- Sasha gets new book contract -- Eric Cantor b'da